How Kerry Is Different-And How He Isn't--ATimes Online/New WMW

[Gloria]

Up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR JULY 30, 2004

1//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong--HOW KERRY IS DIFFERENT – AND HOW HE ISN’T (Now that US Senator John Kerry has formally accept the nomination of the Democratic Party's presidential candidacy, a close look at his national-security policies is warranted…His prudence and changes of mind may be reasons he has not yet impressed the voters that his approach to US national-security policies would be notably different than that of Bush, even when the US presence in Iraq is becoming increasingly unpopular among voters…The US presidential election is notable in the sense that national-security concerns continue to be on top of voters' worry-list. Kerry will have to convince that his overall approach to national security, even if it is not that much different, will indeed result in the US getting more respect worldwide under his watch than under Bush's. Considering the recurring evidence of rising spirals of anti-Americanism not just in the Middle East, but also in Europe, that particular aspect of the Kerry difference would mean his election as America's next president.)

2//The Daily Star, Lebanon--IRAQ STUMBLES IN TAKING 1ST STEP TOWARD DEMOCRACY (It was intended as a baby step into participatory democracy, the country's first foray into nation-building. But Iraq's national conference is turning into a world-class embarrassment. Thursday, the conference was postponed for the second time, amid allegations of mismanagement and too little outreach. "No one knows what the national conference is," said Sheikh Fatih Kashif al-Ghitta, an independent Shiite political leader. "I am in Baghdad and my neighbors are university professors and they didn't hear about it. So what about the people in the provinces?")



3//The Independent, UK--NATO SCHEME TO TRAIN IRAQI SECURITY FORCES IS BLOCKED (France led a clutch of nations yesterday blocking Nato plans to train Iraqi security forces.The 26 Nato allies agreed last month in Istanbul to go ahead with a training programme, but the US and the French remain at odds over the interpretation of the accord. At issue is the extent of any Nato deployment inside Iraq. Despite three meetings yesterday, ambassadors failed to clinch a deal, though there was optimism that a compromise can be found by the weekend… Meanwhile France is reluctant to make any show of international support for George Bush's Iraq policy before the Republican Party's pre-election convention at the end of August.)



4//Inter Press Service News Agency, Italy--NO OFFERS OF TROOPS TO PROTECT U.N. STAFF IN IRAQ (The dramatic increase in kidnappings of foreign nationals in Iraq is threatening to undermine the creation of a new multinational security force aimed at protecting U.N. employees and humanitarian workers who are planning to return to the violence-ridden country. ''We have had no concrete offers of troops from any country,'' a U.N. spokesman told IPS. The United States has so far lobbied several Muslim countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen and Jordan, seeking troops for the proposed new protection force. But it has apparently hit a brick wall…Several Middle East experts are sceptical the United Nations will be welcomed by Iraqis. ''Under the present circumstances, any participation of the United Nations in the 'transition' in Iraq constitutes aiding and abetting the occupation, which continues under a new guise,'' says Rahul Mahajan, author of 'Full Spectrum Dominance: U.S. Power in Iraq and Beyond.')



5//Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK--MERCHANT OF DOOM (In a farm overlooking the Euphrates River in the town of Hit, some 200 kilometres west of Baghdad, Fahd (not his real name) sits in his small hut surrounded by bags of TNT…Formerly, this 48-year-old amateur demolitions expert made his living selling bombs to fishermen to use for catching fish. But he told an IWPR reporter that his best customers now are guerrillas from neighbouring communities… Local Iraqi police told IWPR they know about the explosives traders, but they claim the bombs are only used for fishing. "Many Hit residents manufacture bombs, but only for fishing purposes," said Captain Majed Suheil. "It was forbidden under Saddam, but now is permitted until the issuance of new instructions.")